lillyturmel's reviews
79 reviews

The Life Crimes and Hard Times of Ricky Atkinson, Leader of the Dirty Tricks Gang: A True Story by Richard Atkinson, Joe Fiorito

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

This book definitely offers a really interesting perspective into the life of crime and the life of black people in Canada. I found Ricky's story very informative and inspiring, but the writing felt a little too information heavy--like I was reading a textbook, which I definitely don't blame Ricky for, since he is not a professional author, and actually talks about how he enjoyed reading a lot of textbooks in prison haha.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Really good ending!! I would have never guessed who did it. Couldn’t put this book down

The Story of Us: by Catherine Hernandez

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is an amazing book about friendship and chosen family. While the book is narrated by an unborn fetus, which is definitely a little weird, it just works. Catherine Hernandez is such an inspiring, unique writer, and I loved this book.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

adventurous inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If you liked RWRB, you’ll love this book too. The perfect modern coming of age, 2000s vibe of book, but everyone is gay, which makes it 10x better

Enigma Variations by André Aciman

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I love Aciman’s writing style, but the plot of this book was just meh. The writing kept me hooked in but I wasn’t that interested in what happened to the characters. Also, why is this guy so obsessed with mixing food & sex??

Loveless by Alice Oseman

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Alice Oseman is amazing at writing the teenager/young adult experience and is really one of the only modern writers who can. This book was a great representation of that and opened my eyes to asexuality/aromanticism. While I knew what they were beforehand, I found that being inside the head of Georgia showed me a perspective I had never thought of, and it also gave me many queer experiences I could relate to. On top of all of that, this book had amazing romances and a beautiful representation of friendships that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Alice never disappoints. 

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a good follow-up to the last book, but the hook being

Conrad's disappearance and them immediately finding him, and then also them getting the house back being so easy felt off.

the entire book just felt too quick with little buildup, as always, I love the love triangle though.

Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir by Kai Cheng Thom

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book was an incredibly entertaining and unique way of portraying the life of trans women. As someone who usually goes for YA, this book is perfect for those who want something more serious, but still feel like reading for fun. My only complaints are that sometimes it could use a little more filler, the pace was almost too fast.

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

adventurous lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Obviously the sequel is never as good as the first, but this one was a pretty good sequel! I am always amazed with Ernest Cline's vast knowledge on video games, movies, books, music, and he is THE writer of modern day science fiction. This book was released in 2020, but I feel like the contents of the book talk about an insanely relevant topic of 2023; AI. I love Ernest Cline's version of science fiction, and I love how it is totally believable and adventurous. 
My only complaints about this I guess are the ending.

I cannot believe that they chose to create DPCs of themselves after everything that happened, and honestly I think that it would have been a really interesting ending had Wade pressed the red button & deleted the OASIS.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved TATBILB, and so its safe to say I really liked this book to. I think its a great love story that isnt too "I'm not like other girls" and is very lighthearted and easy to read. I read it in a day.